Jake Olson
Blair, Nebraska

Camera:

Canon 5D Mark III.

Photographer:

Elena Shumilova.

Food:

Seafood.

Country:

New Zealand (Although I’ve never been).

Hotel:

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.

Book:

Reframed The Jake Olson Story.

Jake Olson was named by The Huffington Post as one of the Top 30 Most Socially Influential Photographers in the World in 2014. His images have been featured in dozens of publications around the World including British Vogue and Digital SLR Magazine, Practical Photography Magazine, Digital Photo Magazine, SLR Lounge, and My Modern Met.

Jake Olson – A Leading Photographer.

Jake’s images have also been used by the BBC, ABC NEWS and featured on National Geographic, Forbes.com and Bloomberg. Jake Olson’s images are licensed by Trevillion Images, one of the world’s leading creative photo agencies. His images are sold to book publishers and bestselling authors like Lee Child, Colleen Faulkner and Jody Lynn Anderson and now seen on dozens of titles.

Q&A

-How did you start out professionally in photography?

I started out three years ago after battling an addiction to alcohol. Photography was a way for me to express myself and fill my time more productively.

-How would you best describe your style of photography?

Atmospheric.

-What is your typical camera setup on a shoot?

One camera and one lens. A Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 85mm L II 1.2. I don’t use a flash or reflectors.

-What is your biggest resource in relation to technical knowledge and how long did it take you to master your technique?

My biggest resources are my mistakes. I use the tricky Canon 85mm L II 1.2 and it took me many exposures to learn how to focus. I feel like I’ve mastered this lens and can use it in any situation.

-Do you see your work as documentary, commercial or art based?

Definitely art based.

-What is your post-production workflow like?

It’s simple but time consuming as I go over every detail and look at hundreds of images from a single shoot before I decide which images to edit or combine.

-How do you go about building relationships and trust between you and your clients?

I think my passion speaks for itself when I’m on location and the people can see from my focus that I genuinely care about the finished product. That leads to repeat clients and relationships.

-What is your dream project?

The Nebraska Cornhusker Football Team on my county road in rural Nebraska at sunset.

-What inspires you?

My mistakes inspire me. I learn almost 100% from my mistakes. I’ve spent hours on images only to scrap them completely.

-Is there a single photograph that you are most proud of?

Aging Storm. (Last photo in series).

-What was the best career advice you were ever given?

I’ve always gone my own way and never really listened to advice because it’s so individual. I think the best advice as far as photography has come from my own personal thought. “Never listen to other photographers.” Including me!